Swimming pool training for staff

Please read this letter to schools from Vertas which details the type of training required for school staff to either teach swimming in a school’s own pool, or to accompany children to a public pool where lifeguards are present. Any queries, please contact Vertas (details on the letter).

Playground safety and inspections

To keep children safe it is important to ensure that playground equipment is checked regularly both by local staff and by a qualified and competent inspector.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FEBRUARY 2024: THERE IS STILL SOME CONFUSION REGARDING WHICH CHECKS SCHOOLS SHOULD HAVE UNDERTAKEN BY EXTERNAL INSPECTORS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE GUIDANCE BELOW FOR CLARITY. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [email protected] IF THERE ARE ANY QUERIES AND WE CAN GO THROUGH THE LISTS OF INSPECTORS ONLINE TOGETHER. THANK YOU!

• Playground and PE equipment inspection guidance (2022) – Suffolk County Council guidance on the types of inspections, frequency, and how to ensure your inspector is competent and qualified.

PE safety including equipment inspections

• Please follow the above Playground and PE equipment inspection guidance for the types and frequency of checking PE equipment.

• The Association for Physical Education has resources available on their website including information about inspections and maintenance of PE equipment. As a member you also get access to further health and safety information and resources.
  Nina Bickerton is a member on behalf of maintained schools, so please contact her about information you may require.
  Non-maintained schools need to become a member in their own right.

• See the HSE guidance for Swimming Pool Management, if your school has a swimming pool.

National Sports bodies guidance and resources

• Football – FA Heading Guidance by age group – Feb 2020

• Rugby Union – including ‘Rugby Safe’.

• British Gymnastics – their health and safety page.

• Swim England – a link to all their safety articles on their website.